Length of Grow Light Use

smudge · 10-15-2018, 11:47 AM

How long should grow lights be on? I have a banana and two other plants under broad spectrum fluorescents in the basement. They are on timers, set for seven hours.

Iowa · 10-15-2018, 01:34 PM

Four foot fluorescent's work well for me, if you need more light hang another one.

SoCal2warm · 10-15-2018, 05:19 PM

This is kind of a matter of much personal opinion and contention but I don't think it makes much of a difference. Assuming the intensity of light is at the optimal level, I would leave it on all the time, so the plant can absorb energy 24 hours a day all the time and grow faster.

It doesn't make sense to have it on only part of the time. Then you would have to go with a higher wattage lamp.

geissene · 10-15-2018, 05:20 PM

If your goal is just to 'sustain' the plants until next spring, I think 7 hours will be adequate. I use 8 to 10 hours but I have a 300w LED light that covers a 4'x4' area in my basement. I may get a few new leaves over winter, but that isn't my focus. Nothing compares to full sun and the warmth of summer.

Good luck!

Erik

cincinnana · 10-15-2018, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smudge

How long should grow lights be on?

The length of a day in mid summer for your area for growth is a good start.

Mine are on for 14 hours +- to keep some of my plants.......Sometimes longer when I forget to try them off.

Great videos are on Youtube on how to grow and keep your plants indoors over the winter.
Just do what you can afford and is in your budget

I will always tell fellow growers to tune into the Cannibis lighting forums on Youtube for the best advice on the internet.

The growing/lighting conditions are identical and the advice is better because these folks have the experience to grow some awesome foliage.

subsonicdrone · 10-17-2018, 05:29 AM

i start mine at the current day length (11) and then add an hour here and there until i am up to 14hrs on

mushtaq86 · 10-18-2018, 06:51 AM

I have mine on for 12 hours a day, 6am to 6pm which is adequate enough.

10-15-2018, 11:47 AM	#1 (permalink)
smudge Location: Simcoe Ontario Find me on the map! Zone: 6a, 6b Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 7 BananaBucks : 8,034 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 11 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Length of Grow Light Use How long should grow lights be on? I have a banana and two other plants under broad spectrum fluorescents in the basement. They are on timers, set for seven hours.

10-15-2018, 01:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Iowa Location: Burlington,Iowa Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Mike Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 706 BananaBucks : 55,056 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 573 Times Was Thanked 1,022 Times in 384 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 605 Times	Re: Length of Grow Light Use Four foot fluorescent's work well for me, if you need more light hang another one. __________________ Growing Musa Orinoco since 1993 - Added 2018-Basjoo, Zebrina' Rojo, Ensete Red Abyssinian - Added 2019-Goldfinger - Added 2020-Kokopo (Short Cycle), Double (Mahoi), Highgate, Super Dwarf Cavendish - Added 2021-Pisang Ceylon(Mysore), Musa Margarita, Ensete Ventricosum - Added 2023 - Siam Ruby

10-15-2018, 05:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
SoCal2warm Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 61 BananaBucks : 19,318 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 64 Times in 33 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Length of Grow Light Use This is kind of a matter of much personal opinion and contention but I don't think it makes much of a difference. Assuming the intensity of light is at the optimal level, I would leave it on all the time, so the plant can absorb energy 24 hours a day all the time and grow faster. It doesn't make sense to have it on only part of the time. Then you would have to go with a higher wattage lamp.

10-15-2018, 05:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
geissene Location: Pennsylvania Zone: 6 Name: Erik Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 489 BananaBucks : 112,050 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 301 Times Was Thanked 983 Times in 317 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 16 Times	Re: Length of Grow Light Use If your goal is just to 'sustain' the plants until next spring, I think 7 hours will be adequate. I use 8 to 10 hours but I have a 300w LED light that covers a 4'x4' area in my basement. I may get a few new leaves over winter, but that isn't my focus. Nothing compares to full sun and the warmth of summer. Good luck! Erik

10-17-2018, 05:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
subsonicdrone Moderator Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,427 BananaBucks : 51,244 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,829 Times Was Thanked 1,975 Times in 680 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Length of Grow Light Use i start mine at the current day length (11) and then add an hour here and there until i am up to 14hrs on

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10-18-2018, 06:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
mushtaq86 mushtaq86's Photo Gallery Location: Hartlepool, UK Name: Mushtaq Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 709 BananaBucks : 83,804 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,713 Times Was Thanked 826 Times in 383 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 46 Times	Re: Length of Grow Light Use I have mine on for 12 hours a day, 6am to 6pm which is adequate enough.

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